The mainland welcomes Taiwan authorities' approval of the talks on passenger and cargo charter flights across the Taiwan Straits, a Chinese central government spokesman said on Wednesday.
  
"We have noticed the remarks of officials with the Taiwan authorities regarding the cross-Straits passenger and cargo charter flights. We welcome such remarks," said the spokesman with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, under condition of anonymity.
  
It is a consistent policy of the mainland that direct air, shipping, postal and commercial links across the Taiwan Straits should be realized, he said.
  
"We'll do whatever things that can benefit the Taiwan compatriots and are conducive to the promotion of cross-Straits exchanges and the development of cross-Straits trade and economic ties," said the spokesman. "And we will try our utmost to do them well."

(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2005)